VOTERS in Esher will not go to the polls on Thursday after one of the ward's candidates died unexpectedly.

Bruce King, who lived in Lammas Lane and was due to stand for Labour, died on Sunday (April 29), meaning the Elmbridge Borough Council election for the Esher ward has been abandoned and will now not take place this week.

The ward election is instead likely to be held on Thursday, June 21, according to the local authority.

Postal votes already received by the council will not be counted and will be reissued to those who registered to receive one.

The election in all other wards except Esher will go ahead as planned on Thursday.

Robert Moran, the elections returning officer for Elmbridge Borough Council, said: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Bruce King. I offer my sincere condolences to Mr King’s family at this difficult time.

"In the circumstances, and in line with the legal requirements, I have therefore countermanded the poll in the Esher ward.

"This has the effect of abandoning the local election in the Esher ward until a by-election can be held, which is likely to be on 21st June 2012.

"Once the arrangements for the by-election have been made, the poll for the vacancy in the Esher ward will be re-run.

"This will mean that all the arrangements including postal votes will be organised and re-issued entirely afresh, the only exception being acceptance of the current nomination of the two remaining candidates.

"Details of the arrangements for the by-election in the Esher ward will follow within the next 10 days."

A statement from the Esher and Walton Constituency Labour Party said its members were "deeply saddened by the sudden death" of Mr King.

It went on to say: "Bruce King lived in Esher for many years and was the Labour candidate for the Esher ward on many previous occasions, as he was this year.

"He was active in the local community and, as a member of the Elmbridge Fairtrade Network, he was proud that they eventually persuaded Elmbridge council to support fair trade.

"Bruce was secretary of the Claygate and Esher Labour Party branch for a number of years. He led policy discussions and ensured that the views of the local party were conveyed to the leadership.

"Those skills will be sadly missed. He will be a very hard act to follow. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”

Mr King leaves behind a wife, Jamela, and a daughter.

The remaining candidates for the Esher seat are Tim Oliver for the Conservatives and Gary Lay for the Esher Residents' Association.